John 5:13

May 8 Morning

The man who had been healed did not know who Jesus was, for there was a crowd in that place, and Jesus had slipped away.

Years are short to the happy and healthy, but thirty-eight years of disease must have dragged on the life of the poor invalid man. So when Jesus healed him by a word, while he lay at the pool of Bethesda, he was overjoyed for the change. Even as a sinner who has for weeks and months been paralysed with despair, and has wearily longed for salvation, is very conscious of the change when the Lord Jesus speaks the word of power, and gives joy and peace in believing. The evil removed is too great to be removed without our recognizing it. The new life imparted is too remarkable to be possessed and remain inoperative. The change wrought is too marvellous not to be perceived. Yet the poor man was ignorant of the author of his cure, he knew not the sacredness of Jesus's person, the offices which he sustained, or the errand which brought him among men. Ignorance of Jesus may remain in hearts even though they have felt the power of his blood. We must not hastily condemn men for lack of knowledge. Where we can see the faith which saves the soul, we must believe that salvation has been bestowed. The Holy Spirit makes men sorry long before he makes them saved and he who believes what he knows, shall soon know more clearly what he believes. Ignorance was a disadvantage for this poor man for he was much taunted by the Pharisees, and was quite unable to cope with them. It is good to be able to answer critics, but we cannot do so if we know not the Lord Jesus clearly and with understanding. The cure of his ignorance, however, soon followed the cure of his infirmity, for he was visited by the Lord in the temple and after that gracious manifestation, he was found testifying that "it was Jesus who had made him whole." Lord, if thou hast saved me, show me thyself, that I may declare thee to the sons of men.